Indiana Fever Edge Closer to Playoff Spot with Win Over Chicago Sky

The Indiana Fever edged closer to securing a playoff spot with a dominant 97-77 win over the Chicago Sky on Friday night. Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 20 points, while Natasha Howard added 18 in the victory.

The game was missing both teams' marquee players, as Caitlin Clark sat out for the Fever due to a groin injury and Angel Reese was suspended by her team after picking up her eighth technical foul. The Sky's leading rebounder had also hinted at being willing to move on from the team if they didn't start winning.

Indiana went 5-0 against Chicago this season, winning by an average of 24 points. They now need just one more win or a Sparks loss to secure a playoff spot.

Odyssey Sims scored 13 points and Aliyah Boston added 11 for the Fever (22-20), who moved 2 1/2 games ahead of Los Angeles in the race for the final playoff spot. Kamilla Cardoso and Michaela Onyenwere led the Sky (10-31) with 18 points apiece.

The Fever made a statement in the first quarter, racing to a 31-15 lead behind their hot shooting and 10 assists. They finished at 52%, compared to Chicago's 38 of 73, despite being outrebounded by plus-8.

"We're just trying to take it one game at a time," said Fever coach Marianne Stanley. "I'm proud of our team for staying focused and playing well tonight."